Prime Small Screen Selections: Seven Can't-Miss Films This Coming Week
Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring critique addresses the tyranny of female beauty and the feared consequences of ageing. The veteran actress delivers a masterful acting turn playing Elisabeth, an aging film star demoted to presenting a fitness program on TV. Forced aside due to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out an enigmatic and terrifying treatment called "The Substance". This generates a new version of herself called Sue, leading to an increasingly vampiric relationship among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
This Mystery Thriller
This suspenseful story includes the talented actress as Laura, an ace reporter who takes a hiatus from covering international wars to join an opulent ship accompanied by a gravely sick Scandinavian billionaire and philanthropist, her husband, plus additional filthy rich passengers. However when a mysterious woman disappears from the ship overnight and the entire crew claims she was never there, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities in this innovative ghostly tale captured wholly through the eyes of the spirit. After a clan including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their fresh home, the filming device – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. The daughter appears conscious of the poltergeist, and it looks like protective of her. But why? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. October 11th, afternoon and evening times, Sky Cinema Premiere
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Cage fully commits to his eccentric image in this meta comedy caper. He portrays a narcissistic celebrity playing himself who takes on a million-dollar gig to attend a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the wealthy Javi Gutierrez. Hired by government spies to spy on the suspected cartel boss, Cage's unconventional method proves useful. This Saturday, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well despite the lack of a follow-up. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, multiple kidnappings has left the children frightened. When Finney gets captured by the villain and imprisoned in a dungeon, he anticipates a fatal end. Yet the non-functional line on the wall keeps ringing, with ghostly voices providing assistance, as the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. October 11th, nighttime, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for greed in Showalter's delightfully tacky true story of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. The actor plays the corrupt Bakker, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye begin monetising the American public's Christian beliefs. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, yet Chastain manages to show the real-life figure in a likable light. October 14th, late night, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This period's additional entry by the same director delivers a spy mystery as precise similar to the collars sported by the actor's UK spy. He receives a mission to identify a traitor inside the organization from five suspects – including is his own wife. Both actors are experts of deadpan cool, so a delicious psychological game of deception or honesty takes place. The supporting cast join in the intelligent intelligence fun. Friday 17 October, multiple time slots, Sky Cinema
